Laserfiche WebLink
March 24, 2025 <br /> <br />Strategic Priority: Public Safety <br /> <br />Ensuring the safety and security of Portsmouth residents remains our highest priority. The <br />FY 2026 Proposed Budget includes significant investments to enhance public safety <br />services and infrastructure. <br /> <br />New Public Safety Facility <br /> <br />The budget allocates funding for the continued development of a new Public Safety <br />Facility to house police and emergency services under one roof. This consolidated facility <br />will: <br />Improve coordination between public safety departments <br /> <br /> <br />Enhance emergency response capabilities through co-location of critical <br /> <br /> <br />services <br />Provide modern facilities designed to meet current and future operational needs <br /> <br /> <br />Support technology integration across public safety functions <br /> <br /> <br /> <br />The facility is scheduled for completion in 2028 and represents a long-term investment in <br />community safety. <br /> <br />Personnel Investments <br /> <br />The budget addresses recruitment and retention challenges within public safety <br />departments through: <br /> <br />Implementation of the new Pay and Classification Plan, ensuring competitive <br /> <br /> <br />compensation, and suggested by both Police and Fire <br />Enhanced professional development opportunities for personnel <br /> <br /> <br />Support for officer wellness programs <br /> <br /> <br />Targeted recruitment initiatives to fill critical positions <br /> <br /> <br /> <br />These investments will help ensure Portsmouth maintains appropriate staffing levels with <br />well-trained personnel to serve the community effectively. <br /> <br />Strategic Priority: Infrastructure <br /> <br />Sound infrastructure provides the foundation for economic growth and quality of life. The <br />FY 2026 Proposed Budget includes several significant infrastructure investments. <br /> <br />New City Hall <br /> <br />The budget continues funding for the new City Hall project, scheduled for completion and <br />occupancy by 2028. This facility will: <br />Improve citizen access to government services <br /> <br /> <br />Provide a more efficient work environment for city staff <br /> <br /> <br />Reduce operational costs through energy-efficient design <br /> <br /> <br />Support the redevelopment of Portsmouth's historic waterfront <br /> <br /> <br /> <br />The January 2026 demolition of the current Civic Center represents a significant <br />milestone in this project and our broader downtown revitalization efforts. <br />Utility Infrastructure <br /> <br />The budget includes funding for critical upgrades to sewer pump stations throughout the <br />city. These improvements will: <br />Enhance system reliability and reduce service interruptions <br /> <br /> <br />Ensure continued environmental compliance <br /> <br /> <br />Extend the useful life of existing infrastructure <br /> <br /> <br />Reduce emergency maintenance costs <br /> <br /> <br /> <br /> <br /> <br /> <br /> <br />